VoT bombing victims remembered in Ki'linochchi

[TamilNet, Sunday, 30 December 2007, 03:40 GMT]A memorial event was held Friday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. in Ki’linochchi Cultural Centre to pay homage to the three editorial staff workers at the Voice of Tigers (VoT) radio station and eight civilians, residents and travelers who lost their lives when Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Kfir bombers attacked VoT, LTTE’s official broadcasting corporation located at 155 Mile Post, 3.5 km south of Ki'linochchi November 27th afternoon.

A residential accommodation belonging to World Food Programme (WFP) was fully destroyed during the November bombing. The Vanni office of FORUT, a Norwegian Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) and a library of Ki'linochchi Pradeshiya Sabah were also damaged in the air strike. During the aerial bombarment 17 civilian houses in the vicinity were attacked and 8 houses sustained heavy damage.

A large number of people attended the event presided by Thamizhanpan, Director of VoT.

Dr. Anparasu of the International Communication Center, speaking on the occasion said VoT is a media which continues to face repeated aerial attacks by the enemy and still be able to function effectively. From the time GOSL purchased Savoia-Marchetti twin-engined fighter type aircrafts a few years ago SLAF has been targetting the VoT.

Mr.Anparasu also spoke in detail the use of media throughout the world during times of war.

A listener of VOT, K.Thangarasa spoke in detail about the air attack and its impact on the feelings of VoT's listeners.

P.Nadesan, Political head of LTTE, also spoke. V.Ilankumaran, Director of Education Council of Tamil Eeelam, V.Balakumaran, senior member of LTTE, a number of Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarians, LTTE cadres and general public were present at the meeting.